Mental(ish)

Mental(ish) is a raw and unflinching exploration of Melissa Pang Howard’s journey through c-PTSD, chronic illness, and medical negligence. Diagnosed with Bipolar 1 disorder at nineteen, she unravels the experiences that shaped her before and after her diagnosis, uncovering how childhood trauma and a rigid cultural and religious upbringing contributed to her struggles.

With candor and vulnerability, Melissa examines the ways these early influences distorted her self-perception and fueled the challenges of living with a severe mood disorder. She shares the untold truths of navigating Bipolar 1-its volatility, its darkness, and its impact on her identity-while also highlighting the strategies, treatments, and personal revelations that have helped her not just survive but thrive.

Mental(ish) is both a personal reckoning and a testament to resilience, offering insight, validation, and hope to those on similar paths.

Author Biography

Melissa Pang Howard is a blogger for the International Bipolar Foundation (ibpf.org), where she shares her lived experiences and the tools that have helped her maintain stability.

She has volunteered with The Canadian Roadmap for Bipolar Disorder, a CREST.BD initiative focused on developing a consensus on psychosocial care and research for people with bipolar disorder. This project brings together individuals with lived experience, researchers, and other stakeholders in a deliberative dialogue.

Melissa is also a panelist for the bipolar AMA on Reddit, the largest global team of bipolar disorder experts. This collaborative includes 70 panelists from 13 countries, ranging from psychiatrists and psychologists to scientists, researchers, and individuals living with bipolar disorder, all representing the CREST.BD network.

Melissa has recently taken on a new volunteer role with Postpartum Support International (PSI) www.postpartum.net as a peer mentor. In this position, she provides support to mothers and their families through the perinatal and postnatal journey. PSI offers direct peer support, trains professionals, and connects families to vital resources. Through her work, Melissa is helping others navigate the challenges of this vulnerable time, offering the kind of guidance she wishes was available to her during her own experience.

Melissa lives in Toronto with her spouse, two children, and adored dog. You can find Melissa on Instagram @mindful_movement_for_mania